Waterford and Limerick finished level in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship Final on Sunday July 14th at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on a scoreline of 2-19 to 2-19. The replay is fixed for Tuesday July 23rd at 7:30pm in Semple Stadium Thurles.

Morrissey’s last-gasp goal ensures Limerick live to fight another day for minor crown

Report by Cian Tracey for the Irish Independent newspaper

Limerick 2-19 Waterford 2-19

Limerick and Waterford minors will meet again after the two sides played out an enthralling contest at the Gaelic Grounds. The teams had only previously met once at this stage of the competition way back in 1958 but it was well worth the wait. A last-minute goal from substitute Tom Morrissey ensured that, in front of a large home support, Limerick would get a second shot at Munster minor glory.

Waterford, who were the stronger side throughout, led by three points at half-time. A couple of long-range scores from both Austin Gleeson and Colm Roche gave the Deise the upper hand, but Limerick remained in touch thanks to Ronan Lynch’s accuracy from the dead ball. Waterford got off to a flying second-half start when almost straight from the throw-in, they had the ball in the back of the net through Stephen Bennett.

But Lynch continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over as he knocked over three frees without reply. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Waterford looked to have put the game beyond Limerick when Micheal Harney capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Colin Ryan to score his side’s second goal.

But Limerick never gave up and were handed a lifeline when Lynch rifled a 21-yard free into the back of the net with five minutes remaining. Bennett and Pat Ryan exchanged points before a long ball found Morrissey and he beat his man before sending an unstoppable shot passed Gavin Power to set up a replay.

There is no name on the Munster Minor Hurling Cup. The cup itself was presented by T.W.A. Shannon Airport in 1946.

All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship

In the Minor Hurling All Ireland Roll of Honour, Tipperary are second in the charts with 19 titles behind Kilkenny’s 20 titles. Cork have won 18 titles, Limerick have 3 titles (1940, 1958, 1984), Waterford have won 2 titles (1929, 1948) while Clare’s only title to date came in 1997.

Of the last 13 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Finals played, the Irish Press Cup has only returned to Munster on 4 occasions – Cork (2001) and Tipperary (2006, 2007 and 2012). Of the other 9 titles since 1999, Galway have 5 and Kilkenny have captured 4.